Does JD deserve blame for not getting a bat?

[TheRangerDude]

Free Agents: Garza, Lewis, Nelson Cruz, AJP, Murphy, Soto, Baker, Frasor

Arbitration eligible: Feliz (Year 2; made 2.9 million last year), Moreland, Ogando, and Gentry (Year 1)

Garza of the free agents is the only must have, Cruz maybe and Soto & Soto as bench players, maybe Frasor in the BP, but none will make a ton of money except Garza, Cruz might get a decent deal

Don't forget... I think Nathan and Berkman are FAs too... well I guess they both have options but we all know they won't pick up Berkman's... maybe Nathan though. $9M is pretty steep for a closer though but I would like to hang onto him... no telling what the Rangers will do on that though.

 

[romeo212000]

Don't forget... I think Nathan and Berkman are FAs too

Nathan has an option.

 

[jta4437]

Don't forget... I think Nathan and Berkman are FAs too

They have options that likely won't be picked up 9 million for Nathan, 12 million for berkman

Well maybe Nathan, but they might be ready for some new blood in the closer position

 

[Hambombs]

Not really, plenty of money coming off the books, and there's money we could've but didn't spend last year

We're committed to 134 million now, 73 million next year

Wow that's a pretty huge difference. Is that including guys getting payed more?

 

[RevSader]

They have options that likely won't be picked up 9 million for Nathan, 12 million for berkman

I thought Berkman's option only kicked in with 550PAs?

 

[Windingmywatch]

Not really, plenty of money coming off the books, and there's money we could've but didn't spend last year

We're committed to 134 million now, 73 million next year

Read on this new fangled Internet thing the other day that TEX still owes Alex Rodriguez $40mil ... which will be $50mil when TEX has it scheduled for payment. If I remember correctly too from when Ryan et.al. bought TEX that in addition to Rodriguez that MY was a creditor in the bankruptcy finances. I saw the financials from the court filing that had it laid out ... but in a word ... it was extremely complex.

So ... wondering what is coming off the books and when is very important but requires way more bandwidth than anyone other than TEX accountants and ownership can afford.

So unless there is a salary cap instituted next year ... I think there will always be enough budget to afford Garza and McCann along with some random COF.

 

[jta4437]

Wow that's a pretty huge difference. Is that including guys getting payed more?

I included the arbitration guys, and none will likely make more than a couple million more than they do now

 

[jta4437]

I thought Berkman's option only kicked in with 550PAs?

automatically kicks in at that, but still a team option if they choose... i think

 

[RevSader]

automatically kicks in at that, but still a team option if they choose... i think

What's the buyout for him? Hope its low.

 

[jta4437]

What's the buyout for him? Hope its low.

1 million, 500k for Nathan

 

[jta4437]

I included the arbitration guys, and none will likely make more than a couple million more than they do now

So with buyouts and arbitration upticks, you're looking at starting around 85 million

 

[ESPN Refugee]

I think the FO wanted to add a bat but seeing how things played out I think if they were going to add a bat it was going to be a big one and someone that will make this lineup great for the next several years. Those guys weren't really out there so they said if we're going to win, it will be with pitching, defense, pitching, defense and timely hitting. I think they will make a push for some bats this off season but I wouldn't be totally surprised if they really made the effort rolling out Beltre as a possible everyday player in the OF next season.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I think the FO wanted to add a bat but seeing how things played out I think if they were going to add a bat it was going to be a big one and someone that will make this lineup great for the next several years. Those guys weren't really out there so they said if we're going to win, it will be with pitching, defense, pitching, defense and timely hitting. I think they will make a push for some bats this off season but I wouldn't be totally surprised if they really made the effort rolling out Beltre as a possible everyday player in the OF next season.

If they don't he gets the royal Julio Borbon send off.

 

[RevSader]

If they don't he gets the royal Julio Borbon send off.

He has to start the season on the roster or clear waivers doesn't he? The old OOO.

 

[Windingmywatch]

He has to start the season on the roster or clear waivers doesn't he? The old OOO.

Yes, he has to remain on the 25man as he is out of options in 2014. Only way he could end up back at Round Rock would be to be DFA'd, clear waivers and accept a minor league contract in lieu of an unconditional release.

The thing is ... he's only 23. Gentry is 30. Question is whether he is ML-caliber or 4A. His parts of three seasons at Frisco doesn't portend well.

 

[romeo212000]

I believe not putting Beltre on the 25 man next year would be a mistake.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I believe not putting Beltre on the 25 man next year would be a mistake.

Could be ... but let me just remind you the last 23-yo CF had a .312 .376 .414 .790 and 19SB in 157ABs in his call up season primarily as DH. Coming out of camp the next year he was the CF starter and leadoff batter and in 438ABs had a .276 .309 .340 .649 line. The bar was set so high that this level of performance was deemed not good enough.

Borbon cycled back and forth between TEX and AAA until this spring. Beltre will not have that luxury. He has no safety net. He got called up a little later in the season than Borbon did that first year so he may not get 157ABs between now and October (he has 35 at the moment). He'll have to improve on his .286 .306 .314 .620 line (just above Borbon's sophomore season rather than his hot debut season) because as David Murphy will attest ... coming out of ST hot enough to stay at the ML-level all season long when you are out of options is very difficult.

So ... Beltre might be on the roster next April ... but I don't think its a no brainer. In a short sample his performance does not equal Borbon's ... and we know how that worked out.

 

[romeo212000]

Could be ... but let me just remind you the last 23-yo CF had a .312 .376 .414 .790 and 19SB in 157ABs in his call up season primarily as DH. Coming out of camp the next year he was the CF starter and leadoff batter and in 438ABs had a .276 .309 .340 .649 line. The bar was set so high that this level of performance was deemed not good enough.

Borbon cycled back and forth between TEX and AAA until this spring. Beltre will not have that luxury. He has no safety net. He got called up a little later in the season than Borbon did that first year so he may not get 157ABs between now and October (he has 35 at the moment). He'll have to improve on his .286 .306 .314 .620 line (just above Borbon's sophomore season rather than his hot debut season) because as David Murphy will attest ... coming out of ST hot enough to stay at the ML-level all season long when you are out of options is very difficult.

So ... Beltre might be on the roster next April ... but I don't think its a no brainer. In a short sample his performance does not equal Borbon's ... and we know how that worked out.

Except that Murphy won't be there to block Beltre.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Except that Murphy won't be there to block Beltre.

Murphy wasn't blocking Borbon either.

 

[scotsman1948]

I believe not putting Beltre on the 25 man next year would be a mistake.

think martin and belter are locks for the 25 man roster next season and that gentry is packaged in a deal to bring in a big OF bat